News - The Timberjay

Pulsar helium strike may be richest ever

BABBITT- An exploratory borehole made history last week with potentially the richest helium discovery on earth. Pulsar Helium Inc. announced Feb. 28, that its Jetstream #1 borehole reached a total … more

Catie Clark | 3/6/24

Session to teach employers about J1 visa program

ELY—Are you seeking workforce solutions? You are invited to attend a special Workforce Solutions session hosted by The Ely Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 4:30 p.m. The … more

9/21/22

P&Z OKs amendments to new chicken ordinance

TOWER— The city’s planning and zoning commission adopted a handful of revisions to the proposed new chicken ordinance during a regular meeting held Tuesday. The new language would … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/26/23

Randy Santel mugs for the camera before devouring a Bamboozler at the Vermilion Club.

Big guy, big eats, big fun

TOWER- Randy Santel travels the country eating, and he makes good money doing it. It’s all thanks to YouTube and the following he’s attracted over the years as he eats portions at … more

Jodi Summit | 3/6/24

New cell tower north of Echo Trail offers first responders more reliability with communications.

New FirstNet cell tower north of Ely now operational

ECHO TRAIL— A new FirstNet cell site located north of Ely is now operational, providing a much-needed boost to emergency communications for first responders working in nearby portions of the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/21/22

Ely School Board considers preserving the past for future students

ELY – The future of a series a historic murals was a question before the school board here on Monday night. Ely Winton Historical Society (EWHS) president Pam Turnbull addressed the status of … more

Rachel Brophy | 12/1/22

The school board had a full house on May 8 when they voted to approve Anne Oelke as the new school superintendent. Seated at the school board table from left-to-right, Tony Colarich, Tom Omerza, Hollee Coombe, and Rochelle Sjoberg.

Board taps Oelke as new superintendent

ELY- The Ely School Board voted 4-1-0 to hire Anne Oelke, Washington Elementary School principal, as the new superintendent for ISD 696. School board member Tom Omerza voted in opposition and board … more

Catie Clark | 5/10/23

Enforcement effort to focus on impaired driving

REGIONAL- On Tuesday, just one week before recreational marijuana becomes legal in Minnesota, state law enforcement officials gathered in St. Paul to send a strong message to would-be users that … more

David Colburn | 7/26/23

U.S. Steel’s giant Minntac taconite plant looms high over the city of Virginia on a frosty winter day.

U.S. Steel announces sale to Japan-based Nippon

REGIONAL— U.S. Steel, which has played a pivotal role in the development of northeastern Minnesota’s iron resources for more than a century, is being sold to Japan-based Nippon Steel. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/20/23

DNR won’t require EIS for Northshore tailings basin project

LAKE COUNTY— The Department of Natural Resources has announced that it won’t require Northshore Mining to conduct an environmental impact statement, or EIS, for its proposal to extend two … more

Marshall Helmberger | 3/6/24

Police chief urges patience during weekend’s marathon

ELY— Police Chief Chad Houde urged Ely residents to be patient this weekend due to a number of detours and road closures in advance of the Ely Marathon, set to be held on Saturday. “There … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/21/22

Snowmobilers have been out in force in recent weeks and that’s been a boon to the local economy. Abundant snow this winter has made for good riding.

Mining the “white gold”

REGIONAL—When it comes to the winter economy in the North Country, those who cater to outdoor enthusiasts have a common refrain: “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”It’s … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/24/23

Board rejects participation in ambulance joint powers

GREENWOOD TWP- “We are asking you to join an organization, to come to the table, and be part of the solution,” Tower city council member Kevin Norby told the Greenwood Town Board on … more

Jodi Summit | 5/10/23

Hauschild campaign fined for finance violation

REGIONAL— The campaign committee for Sen. Grant Hauschild has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $3,853.62 for overspending on Hauschild’s 2022 campaign. After a review, staff members of … more

Marshall Helmberger | 7/26/23

Grant Hauschild, a member of the task force talks about the challenges to rural ambulance service;

Legislators hear similar message on EMS funding needs

MT IRON— Members of the Legislature’s Emergency Medical Services Task Force heard a consistent message during a packed Dec. 13 field hearing here, called to take input from ambulance … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/20/23

Northshore to recall workers but questions still remain

REGIONAL- As area and state politicians joyfully shared the news Monday that laid off Northshore Mining workers were being recalled for an April re-start of operations in Babbitt and Silver Bay, … more

David Colburn | 2/22/23

New co-owner Paula Dundas and now-former owner Joe Kruchowski behind the minnow tanks at Northwoods Bait and Tackle in Cook.

New blood at old bait shop

COOK – It’s been a fishing opener tradition for over three decades for some anglers who’ve counted on the Northwoods Bait and Tackle in Cook to fill their bait buckets on their way … more

David Colburn | 5/10/23

Obituaries: July 28, 2023

William M. Wyman William M. “Morrie” Wyman, 83, of Orr, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. A celebration of life will be held from … more

7/26/23

NewRange Copper nets a legal win over air permit

REGIONAL— After a string of legal defeats, NewRange Copper, formerly PolyMet Mining, and the state’s Pollution Control Agency, chalked up a win in a challenge to its air emissions permit. … more

Marshall Helmberger | 12/20/23

State projects $3.7 billion budget surplus

REGIONAL – Minnesota legislators have an even larger budget surplus than anticipated to work with this session. The Minnesota Department of Management and Budget (MMB) released its February … more

David Colburn | 3/6/24

With tongues hanging out, sled dogs make their way toward the finish line during last year’s running of the WolfTrack Classic.

Ely goes to the dogs

ELY- It is impossible to think of this city at the end of the road without noting its history of sled dog racing— and the WolfTrack Classic has become the latest iteration of that longstanding … more

Catie Clark | 2/22/23

Large segments of this former railroad bridge are falling into the East Two River. A total collapse could inundate Tower-Soudan’s drinking water wells and pump station.

Crumbling bridge risks T-S water supply

BREITUNG TWP— The recent rapid deterioration of a bridge along a former rail grade here is raising concerns about a possible threat to the drinking water source for both Tower and Soudan. The … more

Marshall Helmberger | 5/10/23

Chimpy Tuominen poses with grandchildren Saija, Silas, and Sadie Snyder, along with co-workers during his final day on July 12.

A 47-year career at Zup’s Grocery in Tower

TOWER- Ever since he was a junior in high school, James “Chimpy” Tuominen has been working at Tower’s only grocery store. Nearly half a century later, he’s ready to retire. … more

Jodi Summit | 7/26/23

Kindergarteners perform during the school’s winter concert last week.

Signs of the Season

Signs of holiday spirits can be found in the most festive and solemn of places in the North Country. Timberjay photographers recently captured these images of the season. more

Timberjay staff | 12/20/23

With nearly bare ground, spring flood risk is historically low

REGIONAL- It’s likely that no one in the North Country was caught off guard by last week’s spring flood forecast issued by the National Weather Service office in Duluth, which concluded … more

David Colburn | 3/7/24